Football Season Review

Shrewsbury were expected to battle against the drop before the season started and the Salop went on to enjoy a better campaign than anyone could have predicted, although they eventually failed to achieve promotion. The Shrews started the season with the longest unbeaten run out of all clubs in the football league and managed to remain in the battle for a direct promotion spot until February or so, when Wigan's and Blackburn's superior class started to shine through. Paul Hurst did an excellent job of managing what is a relatively strong squad and his men did not show any real signs of declining even after losing key men Junior Brown and Abu Ogogo to long-term injuries. Moreover, apart from doing well in the league, where they eventually finished third, the Shrews managed to reach the final of the EFL Trophy, but were edged out by Lincoln with a 2:1 scoreline. They beat Charlton both home and away in the play-off semi-final to set up a final meeting with Rotherham. It was a game in which the Shrews did well to get back on level terms after falling behind, but an extra-time goal condemned them to a defeat that means that thy will remain in League One next season. All in all, their campaign was definitely a successful one but, with two defeats in as many visits to Wembley, will also leave them thinking of what could have been. Paul Hurst as well as several players are wanted by Championship clubs and, given their limited budget, it is hard to see the Salop repeating such heroics next season.

Player of the Season: Lewis Nolan